System and method for set-top box base station integration

ABSTRACT

A system for conducting a voice call includes a set-top box operable to control the selection of a television channel for display on a television. The set-top box is also operable to initiate a voice call in response to a selection of a user-interface displayed on the television. The system also includes a wireless set in communication with the set-top box, the wireless set operable to establish a portion of the voice path for the voice call. Signaling for the voice call is initiated by the set-top box.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/201,668, filed Aug. 29, 2008 by LaFreniere et al. and titled, “Systemand Method for Set-Top Box Base Station Integration”, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many improvements have been made recently in the functionality providedthrough a user's integrated set-top box, which provides a user withaccess to entertainment media such as audio and video signals. It hasbeen desired that the home entertainment and communication experience besimplified by incorporating multiple media and communication functionsinto a single piece of centralized hardware. However, somefunctionalities, such as outbound telephone calling, have remainedlimited to legacy systems and ideas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for conducting avoice call is disclosed. The system includes a set-top box operable tocontrol the selection of a television channel for display on atelevision. The set-top box is also operable to initiate a voice call inresponse to a selection of a user-interface displayed on the television.The system also includes a wireless set in communication with theset-top box, the wireless set operable to establish a portion of thevoice path for the voice call. Signaling for the voice call is initiatedby the set-top box.

Further details and advantages of the present invention will bediscussed in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of an exemplary environmentfor providing media signals and communications in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of an exemplary hardwareconfiguration in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an illustrative display screen and usercontrol device in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a flow chart illustrating a methodin accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of an illustrative display screen inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the structure of contact data inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of an illustrative display screen inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative representation of one embodiment of acommunications system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of one embodiment of a method forestablishing a voice call;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of another embodiment of a method forestablishing a voice call; and

FIG. 12 is an illustration of one embodiment of a method for initiatinga voice call.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative entertainment and communication network 100in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, an integrated set-top box 110 may be located in a user's home150. The set-top box 110 may include a media connection 112 configuredreceive media signals, such as audio, video, graphics, and text signals,for display on a screen 120 and speaker 122 connected to set-top box110. Screen 120 and speaker 122 may also be integrated with set-top box110 as a single piece of hardware. Connection 112 may be configured toreceive media signals from a media signal source 130 located outside ofhome 150. For example, media signal source 130 may be a cable systemheadend, a satellite television source, or an Internet source of mediasignals. Set-top box 110 may further include a telephone connection 114connected to a local telephone network 130. Other telephone devices 132may also be connected to the local telephone network 130. Telephonedevices 132 may be standalone telephones or may be telephones integratedinto other electronic devices, such as refrigerators, gaming devices,etc. The local telephone network 130 may be connected to a publictelephone network 160 outside home 150 such as the publicly switchedtelephone network. Set-top box 110 may further include a modem 116connected to the public telephone network 160 via the telephoneconnection 114. Modem 116 may be used to implement the outbound callingfunctions of the current invention.

FIG. 2 shows further details of an illustrative set-top box 110 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown,set-top box 110 may include a modem 116 configured to initiate outboundtelephone calls. In one embodiment, telephone connection 114 may beconfigured to receive a standard RJ11 telephone jack and may connectmodem 116 to the home telephone network 130. Set-top box 110 may alsoinclude an audio/video generator 118, which may receive media signalsthrough media connection 112 and generate appropriate audio or videooutput for transmission to screen 120 and speakers 122 via audio/videooutput 124. In one embodiment, media signal connection 112 may beconfigured to receive a standard coaxial cable used to transmittelevision signals. It should be understood, however, that bothtelephone connection 114 and media signal connection 112 may utilize anyof a number of communication interfaces suitable for transmittingtelephone and media signals. As shown in FIG. 2, set-top box 110 mayfurther include a processor 122 for controlling operation of the set-topbox and a memory 124 for storing operating software and other data, suchas program guide information, telephone directory information, etc. Auser input device 200, such as a remote control, may be provided toenable a user to input commands to set-top box 110. The functionality ofuser input device 200 will be discussed further below with respect toexemplary methods of the present invention.

In operation, processor 122 may control the operation of set-top box 110using software stored on memory 124. Memory 124 may also store otherdata useful for the outbound calling functionality, such as a directoryof telephone numbers personalized to the user of the set-top box. When auser indicates a desire to place an outbound telephone call usingcontrol device 200, the processor 122 may issue one or more commands toaudio/video generator 118 to display certain menus to be used by theuser to input a desired outbound telephone number. Once the user inputsthe desired telephone number for the outbound call to processor 122, theprocessor 122 may issue further commands to modem 116 to dial the userinput telephone number to initiate the call via connection 114. Itshould be understood that the hardware configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2are merely illustrative embodiments for implementing the presentinvention. Other suitable hardware configurations may be readily adoptedby one of ordinary skill in the art to implement the functions of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative display 300 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, display300 may be provided on screen 102 connected to set-top box 110. As seenin FIG. 3, a television program 302 may be continuously displayed in thebackground. In one approach, a user may indicate a desire to place anoutbound telephone call through the set-top box 110 by pressing “call”button 202 on user input device 200. The set-top box 110 may thendisplay an on-screen dial pad 310 including numeric buttons 312, a callbutton 314, and a display 316. A cursor 318 may also be provided toenable navigation of the dial pad 310. The user may then utilize arrowkeys 204 and select key 206 on the input device 200, in cooperation withcursor 318, to enter a telephone number to be dialed. Alternatively, theuser may enter the telephone number to be dialed using the numerical keypad 208 and “call” button 202 provided on user input device 200.

In another approach, a user may be provided a directory of telephonenumbers customized for the user. In instances where multiple users shareaccess to a single set-top box 110, individualized telephone directoriesmay be provided for each user. In one example where the set-top box 110currently keep a caller ID directory of incoming telephone calls, thiscaller ID directory may form the basis of the telephone directoryprovided to the user for outbound phone calls. The user may also be ableto add further telephone numbers to the existing caller ID directory orcreate a completely new directory using graphical interfaces implementedon the set-top box 110 and displayed on screen 120. Alternatively, aseparate interface, such as an Internet web site, may also be providedfor editing and saving a user's telephone directory. The telephonedirectory information may be stored locally on the set-top box memory124 or may be stored at a remote database (e.g., at the media signalsource 130) and provided to the set-top box 110 on demand or updatedregularly at the set-top box in a manner similar to program guideinformation.

An exemplary implementation of the directory approach is shown in FIG.3, where the user may select “directory” key 320 to initiate access tothe telephone directory 330. Directory 330 may include a display 332that shows a currently selected telephone number, directory entries 334,and a cursor 336. The user may similarly navigate directory 330 usingarrow keys 204 and select key 206 to place outgoing telephone calls.

User input device 200 may also be used to navigate display 300 or dial atelephone number in response to a user's movement of user input device200. For example, navigation of cursor 336 may be accomplished by thelateral, vertical, or diagonal movement of user input device 200. Insuch an embodiment, user input device 200 may include an accelerometeror other motion detection technology to detect movement in a particulardirection. Similarly, user input device 200 may include a light or laseremission device suitable to select a portion of display 200corresponding to a number or button a user may wish to select. Suchdisplay may be a light-sensitive version of a touch-display selecting aparticular input or option in response to detecting a focused beam in aparticular region of display 300—such as displays used with light-pentechnology. In one embodiment, a user may select certain telephonenumbers for speed dial capability. In such an embodiment, moving userinput device 200 up and to the left may cause set-top box 110 to dialand attempt to connect a call to the user's mother. Moving user inputdevice 200 to the right may cause set-top box 110 to dial voicemailafter a call has been missed.

Once the user has selected a telephone number to be dialed, the call isinitiated by the modem 116. As the call is pending, an on-screen displaymay be used to indicate a status of the outbound call. For example, asshown in FIG. 3, a status display 340 may be shown indicating that thecall is “CONNECTING.” Similarly, the on-screen display 340 may alsoindicate that the call is “BUSY,” “CONNECTED,” or “ENDED.” One or moreof on-screen displays 310, 330, and 340 may be partially transparentsuch that an underlying image on the screen may still be viewed when thedisplay is being shown. It should be understood that although displays310, 330, and 340 are all shown on illustrative display 300, this is nota requirement of the invention. In some embodiments, displays 310, 330,and 340 may be sequentially provided such that each previous display isremoved when the next display is generated.

When the call is connected, the set-top box 110 may display a message oremit an alarm prompting the user to take the call using a telephonedevice 132 connected to the same local telephone network 130 to whichthe set-top box 110 is connected. In another arrangement, the set-topbox 110 may include or may be connected to a speaker and microphone thatenables the user to take the call without using another telephone device132. In one particular embodiment, the set-top box 110 may have aBluetooth® wireless capability that enables the user to take theconnected call using a wireless headset. In another embodiment, theset-top box 110 may include an integrated speaker and microphone. In oneparticular approach, the set-top box 110 may automatically mute anysound component of the media signal (e.g., television program 302) whenthe outbound telephone call is connected. Doing so enables the user tocomplete the telephone call without disruption, and may be necessary inarrangements where a separate telephone device is not used.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. At step 402, the set-top box is connected to a mediasignal source to receive a media signal. For example, the set-top box110 may be connected to a cable system headend via media connection 112to receive a television signal. At step 404, the set-top box receives aninput of a telephone number from a user. For example, the user may useinput device 200 and on-screen displays 310 or 330 to input a telephonenumber for an outgoing call. At step 406, the set-top box initiates anoutbound telephone call to the user input telephone number. For example,the modem 116 dials the user input telephone number and places the callto the public telephone network 160. Further methods of the presentinvention include (1) indicating a status of the outbound call using anon-screen display; (2) enabling the user to take the telephone callusing a telephone device connected to a home telephone network; (3)enabling the user to take the telephone call using a speaker andmicrophone connected to the set-top box; (4) providing the user accessto a directory of telephone numbers for initiating an outbound call; and(5) providing the user access to an on-screen dial pad for initiating anoutbound call.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the user may initiate anoutbound telephone call to a telephone number visually displayed onscreen 120 as part of the displayed media signal. For example, asillustrated by FIG. 5, display 500 is a television program signalreceived from media signal source 130. As is commonplace with televisionadvertisements, telephone numbers are frequently displayed to enable theuser to order an item or receive further information. As shown in FIG.5, such a telephone number 502 may be displayed at the bottom of thescreen during a segment of the television program.

In one approach for implementing this feature, the telephone number 502displayed on the screen may be transmitted as part of the televisionsignal carrying the program. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, anadditional piece of contact data 600 including telephone number 502 maybe transmitted along with a segment of the media signal associated withthe telephone number. For example, contact data 600 containing aparticular telephone number 502 associated with a television commercialmay transmitted with the television signal the commercial. Contact data600 may further include an identifier 602 that enables the user toquickly identify the media segment with which the telephone number 502is associated. For example, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the contactdata 600 for the television commercial displayed in FIG. 5 may be“Interior Design Home Furnishings—650 364 1708.” Once received atset-top box 110, contact data 600 may be extracted from the media signalfor use in initiating an outbound telephone call. It should be notedthat the media segment associated with a telephone number 502 is notlimited to segments of a television signal and may be an audio or videosegment, a photograph, an Internet website, or any other suitablepackage of media data.

In another approach for implementing this feature, the contact data 600for a television program may be transmitted along with the program guidedata for the television program (e.g., plot synopsis, actor information,etc.). For example, program data may be provided to the set-top box 110when modem 116 calls a designated number to negotiate a download ofupdated program guide data. The contact data 600 associated withparticular television programs may be stored in an additional field ofthe regularly updated program guide data and may be extracted for use ininitiating an outbound telephone call to the telephone number displayedin a television program.

In another approach for implementing this feature, an optical characterrecognition (“OCR”) program may be used to isolate telephone numberscontained in the media signal and displayed on the screen. For example,in the context of a video signal such as a television signal, video textrecognition (“VTR”) programs may be used to extract character data froma moving video image. One example of such software is ConTEXTract™offered by SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, Calif.94025 (more information available athttp://www.sri.com/esd/automation/video_recog.html). Similarly, existingOCR programs may be used to extract character data from graphics, stillimages, Internet websites, and other suitable types of media files. Theextracted characters may be processed to isolate the numerical data thatappear in the format of a telephone number. For example, in the U.S.,numerical strings having a length of seven, ten, or eleven numbers maybe isolated as probable telephone numbers. In some instances, othercharacter data may also be retained for use as the identifier portion ofthe contact data. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, telephonenumber 502 may be isolated for use in outbound calling and text 504 mayalso be retained for use as the identifier 602.

The OCR and VTR programs used to extract character data from the mediasignal may be stored on set-top box memory 124 and implemented locallyusing processor 122. Alternatively, the OCR and VTR programs may belocated at a remote location, such as the media source 130. In such anarrangement, the character extraction and telephone number isolation mayoccur at the remote location and the extracted contact data may betransmitted in accordance with either of the two previous approaches forimplementing this feature (i.e., contact data 600 may be transmittedwith the media signal or as part of the program guide data).

In one approach to the user interface, the user may initiate a telephonecall to a displayed telephone number 502 by pressing and holding the“call” button 202 on user control device 200 during the time the phonenumber 502 appears on the screen. In the same manner as the previouslydescribed outbound calling feature, when the call is initiated the modem116 dials the user indicated telephone number 502 and the set-top box110 may provide similar call status and answering features for theoutbound call. In another approach to the user interface illustrated byFIG. 5, a cursor 506 may appear on the screen highlighting the telephonenumber 502 associated with the displayed media signal. The user may thenpress the “select” key 206 on user control device 200 to initiate anoutbound call using the highlighted telephone number 502. This approachmay be particularly useful in instances where more than one telephonenumber appears on screen, in which case the user may navigate the cursor506 with arrow keys 204 to select a desired telephone number for theoutbound call.

In yet another approach to the user interface, a list of contact data600 received or captured from the media signal may be stored in memory124 on the set-top box 110. When the user indicates a desire to place anoutbound call, an option may be presented to view the list of telephonenumbers 502 from past media segments (e.g., telephone numbers associatedwith television commercials that have aired). As illustrated by FIG. 7,when a user indicates a desire to place an outbound call, a display 700may be provided on screen 120 that includes a directory 710 of contactdata 714 associated with past media segments. Contact data 714 may besimilar to previously described contact data 600 and may include a phonenumber and a brief descriptor associated with the phone number. The usermay utilize arrow keys 204 on control device 200 to navigate thehighlight 716 to a desired contact 716 to initiate an outbound call.This approach may be advantageous in that it removes the time limitationassociated with calling an on-screen telephone number and enables theuser to place calls to recently viewed telephone numbers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. At step 802, the set-top box is connected to a mediasignal source to receive a media signal. For example, the set-top box110 may be connected to a cable system headend via media connection 112to receive a television signal. At step 804, the set-top box receives atelephone number displayed on the screen as part of the displayed mediasignal. For example, the set-top box 110 may receive telephone number502 being displayed on screen 120 as part of a television commercial. Atstep 806, the set-top box receives an input of a telephone number from auser. For example, the user may use input device 200 to select atelephone number 502 displayed on screen 120 for an outgoing call. Atstep 808, the set-top box initiates an outbound telephone call to theuser input telephone number. For example, the modem 116 dials on-screentelephone number 502 and places the call to the public telephone network160. Further methods of the present invention include (1) extracting atelephone number from the media signal using character recognitionsoftware; (2) receiving a telephone number displayed in the media signalat the set-top box; and (3) providing the user access to a directory oftelephone numbers displayed in the media signal for initiating anoutbound call.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of a communications system inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. The communication system 900of FIG. 1 includes various elements used for wireless and wiredcommunication. The communications system 900 includes a mobile switchingcenter (MSC) 902, a local exchange 904, voicemail systems 906 and 908, adatabase 910, wireless devices 912 and 914, a transmission tower 916, awired network 918, a home 920, home telephone 922, a set-top box 923, adisplay 924, and a client 926. The different elements and components ofthe communications system 900 may communicate using wirelesscommunications, such as satellite connections, WiFi, WiMAX, CDMAwireless networks, and/or hardwired connections, such as fiber optics,T1, cable, DSL, high speed trunks, and telephone lines.

The wireless devices 912 and 914 may communicate with the transmissiontower 916 using communications protocols, such as time division multipleaccess (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), global systems formobile (GSM) communications, personal communications systems (PCS),WiFi, WLAN, WiMAX, or other frequently used cellular and datacommunications protocols and standards. The wireless devices 912 and 914may include cellular phones, Blackberry® devices, personal digitalassistances (PDA), mp3 players, laptops, evolution data optimized (EDO)cards, multi-mode devices, and other wireless communication devices andelements.

Communications within the communications system 900 may occur on anynumber of networks which may include wireless networks, data or packetnetworks, cable networks, satellite networks, private networks, publiclyswitched telephone networks (PSTN), the wired network 918, or othertypes of communication networks. A communications network is theinfrastructure for sending and receiving signals and messages accordingto one or more designated formats, standards, and protocols. Thenetworks of the communications system 900 may represent a singlecommunication service provider or multiple communications servicesproviders. The features, services, and processes of the illustrativeembodiments may be implemented by one or more elements of thecommunications system 900 independently or as a networkedimplementation.

In one embodiment, the MSC 902, voicemail systems 906 and 908, andtransmission tower 916 are part of a wireless network that is operatedby a wireless service provider. For example, the control signals andoperational features may be performed by the MSC 902 and the wirelesssignals may be broadcast from the transmission tower 916 to the wirelessdevices 912 and 914. The wireless network may include any number ofsystems, towers, servers, and other network and communications devicesfor implementing the features and performing the methods hereindescribed. The wireless network may enable cellular, data, radio,television service, or other wireless schemes. For example, thetransmission tower 916 may transmit signals to cell phones, Blackberry®devices, car radios, and high definition televisions.

The MSC 902 may be a switch used for wireless call control andprocessing. The MSC 902 may also serve as a point of access to the localexchange 904. The MSC 902 is a telephone exchange that provides circuitswitched calling and mobility management and may also provide GSM or PCSservices to the wireless devices 912 and 914 located within the area theMSC 902 serves. The MSC 902 may include or communicate with a homelocation register (HLR) and visitor location register (VLR) that may beused to implement different features of the illustrative embodiments.The voicemail system 906 may be an integrated part of the MSC 902 oralternatively may be an externally connected device.

In one embodiment, the voicemail system 906 may include an integrateddatabase for storing customer and usage information, electronicprofiles, and data. In another embodiment, the voicemail system 906, aserver, or other intelligent network device may store user preferences,applications, features, messages, and implementation logic, as furtherdescribed herein. The user may communicate, interact, or send andreceive data, information, and commands to the voicemail system 906through the telephone 922, set-top box 923, display 924, wireless device912 and 914, or the client 926. The MSC 902 and voicemail system 906 mayinclude any number of hardware and software components. In oneembodiment, the MSC 902 is an advanced intelligence network device withsoftware modules equipped to perform a do-not-disturb feature.

The local exchange 904, the MSC 902, and/or other elements of thecommunications system 900 may communicate using a signal controlprotocol, such as a signaling system number 7 (SS7) protocol or TCP/IPprotocols. The SS7 protocol or similar protocols are used in publiclyswitched networks for establishing connections between switches,performing out-of-band signaling in support of the call-establishment,billing, routing, and implementing information-exchange functions of apublicly switched network or the wired network 918. The local exchange904 may be owned and operated by a local exchange carrier that providesplain old telephone service (POTS) to any number of users. In oneembodiment, the local exchange 904 may be a class 5 switch that is partof the network systems of the local carrier. The local exchange 904 mayinclude or may be connected to the voicemail system 906. However, thelocal exchange 904 may also be a Digital Subscriber Line AccessMultiplexer (DSLAM), Internet Protocol (IP) gateway, base station, orany other suitable network access point.

The local exchange 904 may be a wire-line switch or public exchangeusing time domain multiplexing to provide telecommunications services toa particular subscriber or group of subscribers. The local exchange 904may be located at a local telephone company's central office, or at abusiness location serving as a private branch exchange. The localexchange 904 may provide dial-tone, calling features, and additionaldigital and data services to subscribers, such as the home telephone922. The local exchange 904 may also enable VoIP communication of thehome telephone 922 through a data network. VoIP works by sending voiceinformation in digital form, such as packets, rather than using thetraditional circuit-committed protocols of the publicly switchednetwork. The local exchange 904 may be or include a feature server, acall control agent, an IP gateway, and other devices or applications forimplementing VoIP communications. In one embodiment, the local exchange904 may be more than one distributed devices, such as an IP gateway incommunication with a call control server, such as a Session-InitiationProtocol (SIP) server for setting up Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP)calls.

The communications system 900 may further include any number of hardwareand software elements that may not be shown in the example of FIG. 1.For example, in order to facilitate VoIP communications, thecommunications system 900, and the MSC 902 and local exchange 904, inparticular, may include additional application servers, media servers,service brokers, call agents, edge routers, gateways (signaling,trunking, access, sub, etc.), IP network service providers, adapters,exchanges, switches, users, and networks. The voicemail system 908 issimilar to the voicemail system 906 except that it is equipped to handlevoicemail for landline customers rather than wireless customers.

The MSC 902 and the local exchange 904 may include an authenticationspace. The authentication space may be a partition, module, or otherstorage or memory of the server designated by the communications serviceprovider. The authentication space may validate that a user or device,such as client 926, is allowed to authorize the MSC 902, local exchange904, servers, switches, network devices, or corresponding voicemailsystems 906 and 908 to set preferences, implement changes, reviewinformation, or perform other updates. For example, a user may first berequired to provide a secure identifier, such as a user name, password,or other authentication code or hardware interface, to verify the useris authorized to make changes to a feature within the authenticationspace.

The authentication information may also be used to create a secureconnection between the client 926 and the MSC 902, a server, or thelocal exchange 904. The secure connection may be a virtual privatenetwork tunnel, an encrypted connection, firewall, or other form ofsecured communications link. The MSC 902 and local exchange 904 may useany number of gateways, proxies, applications, or interfaces forallowing the client 926 to communicate with the MSC 902 and localexchange 904 through the wired network 918. Alternatively, the client926 may use a wireless network or other network to access the MSC 902and local exchange 904. The MSC 902 and local exchange 904 may use ahost client application for communicating with numerous clients.

The home 920 is an example of a dwelling, residence, or location of aperson or group that may utilize any number of communications services.The home 920 is shown as a residence in the illustrated example,however, the home 920 may also be an office, business, or otherstructure wired or otherwise suitably equipped to provide telephone,data, and other communication services to one or more customers. In oneembodiment, the home 920 is equipped with multiple communicationdevices, including home telephone 922 and client 926. The home telephone922 may be standard devices that provide dialing and voice conversationcapabilities. Home telephone 922 may be integrated in any number ofother devices or may be used in different forms. For example, the hometelephone 922 may be part of a refrigerator or intercom system. Inanother embodiment, the home telephone 922 may be integrated with apersonal computer, such as client 926.

The communications services accessible from the home telephone 922 mayinclude POTS or VoIP telephone service. The home telephone 922 may beVoIP telephones or may be standard telephones that include a modemand/or VoIP adapters for enabling VoIP communications. A special dialtone, message, web alert, or other feedback may specify once orrepeatedly that the home telephone 922 is implementing a particularfeature.

The client 926 may be a personal computer for performing and executingprograms and instructing and accessing the wired network 918. However,the client 926 may be any computing device suitable for communicatingwith the wired network 918 through a network connection. The wirednetwork 918 may be a fiber optic, cable, or telephone network or otherwired network suitable for communication over a hard wired connectionwith the client 926. In one embodiment, the home 920 may include awireless router, adapter, switch, hub, or other suitable interface thatallows the client 926 to communicate with the wired network 918.Alternatively, the client 926 may communicate with the wired network 918through a wireless connection. The set-top box 923 and the display 924may also communicate through the wired network 918.

The set-top box 923 is a device that configures media content fordisplay by the display 924. In one embodiment, the set-top box 923 mayfunction as a receiver, a digital video recorder, and a personal videorecorder for displaying any number of audio, video, or static mediacontent through speakers, the display 924 or other interconnecteddevices. For example, the set-top box 923 may process media signals froma satellite provider, cable provider, DSL connection, Internet Protocoltelevision (IPTV) connection, or other connection types and/orproviders. In one embodiment, the set-top box 923 also includes a modemfor dialing and connecting telephone calls. In yet another embodiment,the set-top box 923 also includes a digital telephony clientcommunicating using any suitable voice protocol such as VoIP. Thedigital telephony client may include a SIP stack for conducting a VoIPvoice call. Alternatively, a peer-to-peer digital telephony client suchas a Skype® client or any other suitable digital telephony client may beutilized.

In one embodiment, the set-top box 923 may communicate with the localexchange 904 to set-up a VoIP call using, for example, a SIP protocol.In such an embodiment, the set-top box 923 would communicate through anIP gateway to a call control server in order to set up an incoming voicecall path and an outgoing voice call path between the set-top box and adevice associated with a selected telephone number or IP address. In analternative embodiment, the set-top box 923 may communicate through anIP gateway to a call control server (such as a call control manager) inorder to set up an incoming voice call path and an outgoing voice callpath between a device associated with a selected telephone number or IPaddress and a second device designated by the set-top box 923 orselected by a user of the set-top box 923. For purposes of thisapplication, calling party number and originating number shall be usedto refer to a telephone number or IP address of a party initiating atelephone call and a called party number and destination number shall beused to refer to a number of a party designated as the recipient of atelephone call.

In one embodiment, the user of the set-top box 923 may be prompted totake the call in response to a call control server, MSC, or localexchange causing a telephone of the user to ring where such telephone isnot connected to the same network as the set-top box 923. In such anembodiment, the IP address or telephone number for such telephone of theuser may be stored by the set-top box 923 or selected or input by theuser. In such an embodiment, the set-top box 923 would instruct the callcontrol server, MSC, or local exchange to utilize such IP address ortelephone number instead of the IP address or telephone number of theset-top box 923 as the originating number when setting up a call. Thecall control server, MSC, or local exchange could be easily modified togenerate a ring to the originating number upon connection of the call toa destination number, while, for example, playing a prerecorded message,tone, or other audio output to the person answering the call at thedestination number. In one embodiment, the set-top box 923 may selectone of several IP addresses or telephone numbers to use as anoriginating number in response to a user selection or automatically bydetecting the identity of the user, the location of the user, or anyother suitable criteria. For example, the set-top box 923 may show thata particular user is using the set-top box 923, either because of logininformation or in response to known viewing patterns of the user. Insuch example, the cell phone number of that particular user will be usedas the originating number. In one embodiment, a plurality of set-topboxes 110 may be networked and share the call set-up platform toinitiate telephone calls. In such an embodiment, an originating numbercorresponding to a telephone number or IP address of a device located inthe same room as the set-top box being accessed by the user to, forexample, watch television.

The set-top box 923 may also include a noise cancellation generator 925.In one embodiment, the noise cancellation generator 925 is anapplication specific integrated circuit operable to receive an audiosignal, generate an inverse of such audio signal, and output suchinverse for combination with the original audio signal over, forexample, the outbound voice path of a telephone call. In one embodiment,noise cancellation generator 925 may include hardware and softwarecomponents, and may receive as an input an audio signal either from theaudio out path of a speaker of a television or surround sound system,from a microphone input receiving an audio signal from a speaker of atelevision or surround sound system, or directly from a cable televisionfeed or other audio channel received over a network, from a prerecordedmedium, or other audio source. In one embodiment, in response to atelephone call being connected between a user of a set-top box and acalled party, the set-top box may communicate information to a set-topbox of the called party over the network utilized to provide televisionservices. For example, a television signal being viewed by a user of theset-top box may be communicated to the called parties' set-top box suchthat both parties may view the same television content. Informationregarding calls made by a user of a set-top box may also be communicatedover the network used to provide services to a set-top box. For example,call information may be logged and tracked for purposes of recordkeeping and/or billing by a provider of network services.

In one embodiment, the set-top box 923 includes a network-to-networkinterface capable of translating digital packet telephony calls toanalog telephony calls and vice versa. More particularly, the set-topbox 923 includes the functionality to disassemble IP packets that mayinclude call signaling and voice data into the separate signaling anddata components necessary to communicate with an analog telephonynetwork.

The display 924 is a device for visually displaying and presenting mediacontent. In one embodiment, display 924 is a television. The display 924may also be a laptop, desktop, projector, monitor, or other devicesuitable for playing an audio-visual selection.

Communications system 900 also includes a remote control 930. In oneembodiment, the remote control 930 is the user input device 200. Theremote control 930 includes a transmitter 932 for communication with theset-top box 923. In one embodiment, such transmitter is an infraredtransmitter. However, alternatively, such transmitter may be a lightemitting diode, a wireless transmitter, or any other suitable componentsuitable to communicate information to the set-top box 923. In yetanother embodiment, the transmitter is a wireless transceiver incommunication with the set-top box, for example, in the manner ofwireless devices 912 and 914. For purposes of this application, a remotecontrol equipped with a wireless transceiver shall also be referred toas a wireless set. The remote control also includes a user interface934. In one embodiment, the user interface 934 includes buttons forindicating the selections of a user. Alternatively, the user interfacemay include buttons, dials, wheels, graphical user interfaces, touchscreens, or accelerometers suitable for indicating the selections of auser. In one embodiment, the user interface 934 also includes amicrophone 936 and a speaker 938. In yet another embodiment, the remotecontrol 930 is a dumb wireless set. For purposes of this application, a“dumb wireless set” shall mean a wireless device with no user interfaceother than a microphone and speaker.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a method for establishing a voicecall. In step 1010, an input of a selection of a television channel isreceived by a set-top box from a remote control. In step 1012, theset-top box modifies the selection of a television channel for displayon a television in response to the received selection. In step 1014, theselection of a call connection request to a particular telephone numberor IP address is received by the set-top box from the remote control. Instep 1016, the set-top box initiates a call connection request to thetelephone number or IP address received from the remote control. In step1018, a call control server, local exchange, MSC, or peer-to-peerarrangement begins call set up and connection in response to receivingthe call connection request from the set-top box. In step 1020, adestination number or called party number is rang to attempt to callconnection to a user of a device associated with the destination numberor called party number. In step 1022, the user of such device answersthe call connection request. In step 1024, a call is connected betweenthe set-top box and such device. In step 1026, a first portion of avoice path is established between the set-top box and the deviceassociated with the destination number or called party number. In step1028, a second portion of a voice path is established between theset-top box and a remote control associated with such set-top box.

Such method may also include visual indicators or audio indicatorsdisplayed or played by the set-top box over a television, or otherdisplay or speaker. For example, visual and/or audio indicators may beutilized to indicate that a telephone number has been dialed, areceiving party has answered a telephone call, or that a user of aremote control should press a button or pick up a remote control, ineach case in order to conduct a successfully connected voice call with acalled party. In one embodiment, the set-top box communicates a ringingsignal over a speaker of a television or a speaker on a remote controlto indicate that a call has been connected.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a method for establishing a voicecall. In step 1102, a set-top box receives a called party number ordestination number. For example, a set-top box could receive a numberdialed into a keypad or a graphical user interface on a remote control.Alternatively, the set-top box could receive a called party number via aselection in a frequently called party list and/or telephone number orIP address included in an address book, caller ID listing, or telephonedirectory. Alternatively, set-top box could receive a called partynumber through a user's selection of a graphical user interfacedisplayed on a television by the set-top box. In one embodiment, theset-top box is equipped with voice recognition technology such thatvoice dialing and/or a voice command could be used to select a calledparty name or number.

In step 1104, the set-top box initiates a call connection request. Insuch an embodiment, the set-top box could initiate a call connectionrequest over an Internet protocol network to a call control server ordirectly to a called party device using a Voice over IP Protocolconfigured in a client server or peer-to-peer arrangement.Alternatively, the set-top box could initiate a call by dialing via amodem or other telephone dial tone generator to communicate with a localexchange to connect a call using the PSTN. Alternatively, the set-topbox may be equipped with its own SIM card and other functionalitynecessary for it to connect directly with a base station and associatedMSC of a cellular network.

In step 1106, the call is connected to the set-top box. Moreparticularly, a call connection has been made with a device associatedwith a called party number and/or destination number and a voice callhas been connected to the set-top box. In step 1108, a remote controlring or other audio, visual, or tactile output is communicated by aremote control, the set-top box, a television, or other device to alerta user of the set-top that the call has been connected. In step 1110,the user answers the call using the remote control. For example, theuser of the remote control may select a talk button, may pick up theremote control, or may perform any other action to answer the call andbegin speaking. Alternatively, the microphone and/or speaker of theremote control may automatically be triggered by the set-top box when avoice connection has been established.

In step 1112, an audio visual signal of the set-top box is adjusted. Forexample, the set-top box may reduce the volume of a television and ordisplay a visual prompt that a call is in process. Alternatively, theaudio visual signal of a television may be muted in response to anindication that a call has been connected to the set-top box. In step1114, in response to the user of the remote control answering thetelephone call, a complete voice connection is established between theremote control, the set-top box, and the device of the called partynumber or destination number.

In step 1116, a noise cancellation signal may be generated. For example,in the event that the volume of a television is not adjustedautomatically or by user preference in response to a call beingconnected, a noise cancellation signal that is the inverse of the audiooutput of a television may be generated by the set-top box so that thecalled party will be able to hear the voice of the calling party despitethe background noise of the television. Such noise cancellation signalmay be generated by detecting the output of the speakers of for example,a television or surround sound system. Alternatively, a noisecancellation signal may be generated in response to receiving the audiosignal associated with a television channel over a cable or othertelevision network. In such a manner, a noise cancellation signal may begenerated without the delay introduced by waiting to cancel a noisegenerated by the speakers of a television or surround sound system. Insuch a manner, a noise cancellation signal may be generated atapproximately the same time as a television audio signal is generated bythe speakers of a television or surround sound system.

In FIG. 12, one embodiment of a method for initiating a voice call isillustrated. In step 1202, a set-top box receives a called party numberor origination number and a calling party number or destination number.In step 1204, the set-top box initiates a call connection request for acall to be conducted between the called party and calling party numbers.In step 1206, a call control server receives the call connectionrequest. In step 1208, the call control server rings the called partynumber. In step 1210, the called party answers a device associated witha called party number. In step 1212, the call control server connectsthe called party to a media player. In such a manner, a media player mayplay an audio message, tone, or other recording to the answering callparty while the call is connected to the calling party. In step 1214,the call control server rings the calling party's number. In step 1216,the calling party answers a device associated with the calling partynumber. For example, the device may be a cell phone connected over aCDMA network, an IP device connected over an IP network, or aresidential telephone connected over the PSTN. In such a manner, aset-top box may be utilized to initiate and connect a call between twosubscribers to any number of telephone service provider networks.Importantly, in such an embodiment, it is unnecessary for a callingparty to utilize the network or service provider providing set-top boxservice to conduct the actual voice call. In step 1218, the called partyis connected to the calling party and a voice path is establishedbetween the two parties.

Although the principles of the present invention have been described interms of the foregoing embodiments, this description has been providedby way of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as alimitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognizemodifications of the present invention that might accommodate recordingone-way speech signal samples. In particular, it should be understoodthat although the foregoing embodiments place some emphasis on thetelevision context, the present invention is not limited to suchimplementations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for conducting a voice call, the systemcomprising: a remote control; and a set-top box in communication withthe remote control, the set top box being configured to: controlselection of a television channel for display on a television; receiveinput from the remote control, the input indicating that a user desiresto conduct a telephone call with an other party; and communicate, via anInternet Protocol gateway, with a call control server, using one or moreSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages, to establish a voice overInternet Protocol (VoIP) connection with the call control server toprovide communication for a voice call between the user and the otherparty, by: establishing a first call between the call control server anda first user device associated with the other party, using at least onefirst SIP message of the one or more SIP messages; automaticallyselecting a second user device from a plurality of second user devicesto connect to the voice call, the second user device selected from theplurality of second user devices being separate from either the set-topbox or the remote control, wherein the set-top box automaticallydetermines the second device to select based in part on a location ofthe selected second user device; establishing a VoIP call between thecall control server and the second user device selected from a pluralityof second user devices associated with the user, using at least onesecond SIP message of the one or more SIP messages; and connecting thefirst call and the VoIP call to establish a direct call connectionbetween the first user device associated with the other party and thesecond user device associated with the user, wherein the set-top boxdetermines the second device to select based in part on an identity ofthe user interacting with the set-top box, wherein the identity of theuser interacting with the set-top box is determined based on knownviewing patterns of the user, and wherein the selected second device isassociated with the identified user.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe call control server is in communication with a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN), and wherein the call control serverestablishes a VoIP connection with the user and a PSTN connection withthe other party, and connects the VoIP connection with the PSTNconnection to establish the voice call.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the voice call is established between a telephone of the userand a telephone of the other party.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe remote control comprises a microphone to provide voice communicationbetween the user and the set top box.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinthe set top box further comprises a volume control, the volume controloperable to automatically reduce the volume of an audio output of thetelevision in response to the connection of the voice call.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the set top box further comprises a noisecancellation generator, the noise cancellation generator operable togenerate a noise cancellation signal in response to the connection ofthe voice call and an audio output of the television.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the set top box is further operable to modify anaudio-visual output of the television in response to the connection ofthe voice call.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the set top box isfurther operable to modify a television input feed received by theset-top box for display on the television.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the set-top box is further operable to generate an output forcommunication over the television network in response to the connectionof the voice call.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the selectedsecond device is located in a same room as the set-top box.
 11. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the set-top box determines the second deviceto select based in part on a location of the user of the second device,wherein the location of the user is detected by determining that theset-top box is being accessed, and wherein the selected second device islocated in a same room as the set-top box that is being accessed.
 12. Amethod of establishing a voice call, the method comprising: controlling,with a set top box, selection of a television channel for display on atelevision, based on input received from a remote control; receiving,with the set top box, input from the remote control, the inputindicating that a user desires to conduct a telephone call with an otherparty; and communicating, by the set top box via an Internet Protocolgateway, with a call control server, using one or more SessionInitiation Protocol (SIP) messages, to establish a voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP) connection with the call control server to providecommunication for a voice call between the user and the other party, by:establishing a first call between the call control server and a firstuser device associated with the other party, using at least one firstSIP message of the one or more SIP messages; automatically selecting asecond user device from a plurality of second user devices to connect tothe voice call, the second user device selected from the plurality ofsecond user devices being separate from either the set-top box or theremote control, wherein the set-top box automatically determines thesecond device to select based in part on a location of the selectedsecond user device; establishing a VoIP call between the call controlserver and the second user device selected from a plurality of seconduser devices associated with the user, using at least one second SIPmessage of the one or more SIP messages; and connecting the first calland the VoIP call to establish a direct call connection between thefirst user device associated with the other party and the second userdevice associated with the user, wherein the set-top box determines thesecond device to select based in part on an identity of the userinteracting with the set-top box, wherein the identity of the userinteracting with the set-top box is determined based on known viewingpatterns of the user, and wherein the selected second device isassociated with the identified user.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe call control server is in communication with a public switchedtelephone network (PSTN), the method further comprising: establishing,with the call control server, a VoIP connection with the user and a PSTNconnection with the other party; and connecting the VoIP connection withthe PSTN connection to establish the voice call.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein the voice call is established between a telephone of theuser and a telephone of the other party.
 15. The method of claim 12,wherein the remote control comprises a microphone to provide voicecommunication between the user and the set top box.
 16. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the set top box further comprises a volume control,the method comprising automatically reducing, with the volume control,the volume of an audio output of the television in response to theconnection of the voice call.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein theset top box further comprises a noise cancellation generator, the methodfurther comprising generating, with the noise cancellation generator, anoise cancellation signal in response to the connection of the voicecall and an audio output of the television.
 18. The method of claim 12,further comprising modifying an audio-visual output of the television inresponse to the connection of the voice call.
 19. The method of claim12, further comprising modifying a television input feed received by theset-top box for display on the television.
 20. The method of claim 12,further comprising generating an output for communication over thetelevision network in response to the connection of the voice call.